Process of applying indexes to the edges of books.



L. E. SMITH.

PROCESS OF APPLYING INDEXES TO THE EDGES OF BOOKS.

APPLIGATION FILED 1'EB.24, 1914.

1,1 19,997. Patented Dec. 8, 191 1 3 SHBETS-SHEBT l.

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L. R. SMITH.

PROCESS OF APPLYING INDEXES TO THE EDGES OF BOOKS. APPLICATION FILED IEB.24, 1914.

1,1 1 9,997. Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

3 SHEETS-"SHEET 2.

5 IN f fjf" nn/ 37:: mllll. f I ll L. E. SMITH.

PROCESS OF APPLYING INDEXES TO THE BDGES OF BOOKS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB-24,1914. 1,1 1 9,997. Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

3 BHIIETS-SHEET 3.

wi bvmow UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS R. SMITH, 0F DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNIVERSAL INDEXING COMPANY, OF COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, A CORPORATION OFOOLORADO.

PROCESS OF APPLYING INDEXES TO THE EDGES OF BOOKS.

which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to-aprocess for applying indexes to the edges of books, my object being to make it practicable to apply indexes to the edges of books of reference and all other books whose subjects matter may be so classified that an index will be advantageous. i

Heretofore, so far as I am aware, no commercially available or practicable method has been discovered for applying indexes to book edges The advantage of an index of this character W111 be readily understood,

since at a glance and; without opening the book, the index immediately appeals visually to the user of the; book; hence, the advantages from a commercial standpoint of a practicable method of this character. It is .true that indexes have been proposed for use on the edges of books, -but their application in a commercial way has existed in theory only. Fromthis, it will be understood that so far as I am aware, I am the first to discover a method of the, character herein dis closed. I I 4 a My improvement consists in first prepar ing by hand a model bookof the same size and structure in every Way as the copies or books of. a published series, as directories of all kinds, dictionaries and other books of reference whose subjects matter are classifiable as heretofore indicated. The index to be employed is then accurately applied by hand to the edge of the sample book. This sample is then subjected to the necessary pressure applied to its opposite sides, to form. the edges of the leaves. where the index is tobe applied into a surface sufficiently hard and smooth for printing purposes. Fromthe index so formed and While the book is still subjected to the predeter- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 24,1914. Serial No. 820,484.

mined pressure, a facsimile of the index is reproduced, from which any number of indexes may be printed by the employment of suitable apparatus. This printing facsimile of the index is preferably in the form of a plate of such character that the index may be readily and rapidly applied to the series of books, each of which, as heretofore indicated, is identical with the sample. The books or copies of the work are then successively subjected to the same pressure, or to the same action of the pressure apparatus, applied in the same manner as that applied to the sample book from which the printing device was formed, and each copy of the book under the aforesaid conditions is then subjected to the printing operation by the use of such printing device. Under such cir cumstances, it is evident that the application of the index to each of the books will be accurate. After giving the matter a great deal of consideration, I have decided that this is the only commercially available and practicable method of printing indexes upon book edges, by reason of the fact that the accuracy required in so applying an index is so great that no measuring device having subdivisions that are visible to the eye can be employed in the formation of a plate or printing device. However, by my method commercial availability is attained by reason of the fact that it is practicable to subject each book of the series of identical books to the same pressure, or at least the same action of the pressure apparatus, to which the sample book was subjected at the time of obtaining the facsimile. In carrying out this process, it is not necessary to employ a pressure gage, since it is not at all necessary that the degree ofpressure to which the books are subjected shall be known to the operator. This sample bookis subjected to an indefinite pressure after the edges of the leaves have been accurately marked by hand to form the index. This pressure need only be such thatthe edges of the leaves, where the printing is to be done, shall form a good printing surface. The degree of pressure is entirely immaterial so long as the foregoing result is attained.

After the formation of the printing device, and after removing the sample book from the pressure apparatus, another identical book is placed in the same apparatus the same action of the printing apparatus, without any change whatever in the adjusting devices necessary to produce the pressure; All that the operator need know is that the action of the pressure apparatus is the same as that to which the sample.

book was subjected, and this must be true under the aforesaid clrcumstances, since the same pressure apparatus is employed without any change whatever in its adjustment.

While it must be understood that the invention is in no way limited to any specific apparatus to be employed in practising or carrying out the process, I have, for convenience of description and to facilitate the comprehension of the process, and in order that its practicability may be better understood, disclosed suitable apparatus in the ac companying drawing for use in practising my improved book edge indexing method, and this apparatus will now be described by reference to the drawing, in which Figure l is a view of the edge of a sample book with an index formed thereon. Fig. 2 is an elevation of a clamping apparatus, showing, it may be assumed, the sample book in place and compressed sufficiently for the purpose. Fig. 3 is a'view looking in the direction of arrow 8, Fig. 2, or a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2. Fig. I is a printing plate or negative facsimile of the index disclosed on the sample book when under pressure as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 5 is an elevation partly in section of the pressure apparatus equipped with means for rapidly printing books identical with the sample, by the use of the plate shown. in Fig. 4.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in-all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate a sample book identical with the series of books to which the index 6 indicated thereon, is to be applied. As shown in this figure, the sample book has had the edges of its leaves containing the subjects matter beginning with the respective letters of the alphabet properly marked, the various letters being arranged in convenient proximity to the sectional edge markings. For instance, as shown in the drawing, a number of solid relatively wide, transversely arranged black marks 7 are formed on the edge of the book, the said marks being suitably spaced. Between these marks, the edges of all the leaves containing the subjects matter beginning with the different letters of the alphabet are marked in black. For instance, between the uppermost two black spaces 7, the black sections designated by the numeral 8 are formed on the edges of the leaves containing the subjects matter beginning with the letters A, D, G, J, M, P, S and V, respectively; While the black sections 9 be tween the other two black spaces 7 are formed on the edges of the leaves whose subjects matter begin with the letters B, E, H, K,'N, Q, T, and W, respectively, and finally the black sections 10 below the lowermost black space-Tare formed on the edges of theleaves containing the subjects matter beginning with the letters C, F, I L, O, R, U, and X, respectively. In this index, the letters Y and Z have been omitted by reason of the fact that the space required for the matter beginningwith these letters is usually so small that the entire matter can be placed upon a single leaf, hence, in practice, these letters may be ignored in an index of this character. In any event, their omission in this case has nothing to do with the process, since for the present purpose an appreciable number of leaves might have been marked'as designated by these letters. The white space 12 to the left of the section 8 containing the A-subject matter may be considered to indicate the leaves of a city directoryfor instance, which are blank and carry advertising or other matter not properly connected With'the index. Each black section of the 8, 9 and 10 groups designates the leaves containing the subject matter beginning with the letter immediately above in the black space 7.

lVhile' I have thus to some: extent gone into detail in describing the index illustrated, this must not be considered as indicating that my process is in any way limit- 7 .edto its use with this particular index or any other'index suitable for book edge pur- "poses, since the invention is equally applicable for use with all indexes that may be available for the'edges of books." The detail description of the index illustrated has been thought properinthis application, since it will to some extent, indicate the high degree of accuracy required in the applying of indexes of thischaracter, since if there is a variation to the extent of the thickness of a single leaf, the index is defective to that extent; and this is the reason that no by the eye of the operator can be employed in producing printing facsimile of an index of this kind illustrated.

After the index'has been formed on the sample book 5, the latter is placed within the clamping apparatus preferably with its index edge uppermost, and subjected to the necessary compression from opposite sides. In l'the drawing, two oppositely disposed pressureplatesl3 and 1% are "illustrated. The plate 13 isreinforced by a. bracket 15 and is slidablei'n a frame 16. this plate is a screwrlf? which passes through a box 18 mounted on the frame, a nut 19 being mounted on'the screw, the nut when properly turned moving the plate 13 against the book 5 to produce the'required pressure,

the plate 14 being stationary during" such Secured to operation. When properly compressed a lock nut 20 is adjusted to maintain the mechanism in the desired position. The plate 14 is hinged at its lower extremity as shown at 21 while its upper extremity is held in place by a member 22 hinged at 23 and adapted to engage a stop 2-1 carried by the plate 1 1, the member 22 having a knob 25 to facilitate hand manipulation. When the book is clamped as illustrated in Fig. 2, its width is considerably reduced as compared with its condition as illustrated in Fig. 1 before the pressure is applied. Itwill be understood that when the sample book is in the position illustrated in Fig. 2, the printing plate 26 shown in Fig. 4, or facsimile printing device is formed in any suitable manner, as by the well known zinc etching process. Of course, any similar or suitable process may be employed in the production of the print ing device. It is evident that the printing facsimile may be mounted upon a printing roll, if desired. The manner of applying the plate as disclosed in Fig. l of the drawing is only a suggestion as to one manner of employing the printing facsimile and while the reciprocating or oscillating movement is believed preferable in the interest of accuracy where the printing of indexes is required, it is evident that the printing facsimile may be utilized in any manner that may be found practicable or desirable. The sample book is then removed from the clamping apparatus by swinging the member 22 upwardly whereby the hinged plate 14 will yield sufficiently to permit the removal of the sample book and the-replacing of another book of identical structure in its place. The exposure of the index for reproducing purposes is best illustrated in Fig. 3.

By referring to Fig. 5, the manner of successively printing the books of the series will be readily understood. Each book is clamped by the mechanism in the same manner and to the same degree as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, after which the printing plate 26 is mounted on a suitable head 27 pivoted at 28 and connected as shown at 29 with two pitmen 30 whose opposite extremities are respectively connected with wrist pins 31 and 32 mounted on wheels 33 and 3%, respectively, the said wheels being made fast to the opposite extremities of a shaft 35 journaled in boxes 36 mounted on the frame work. The Wheel 34: has a gear which meshes with a second gear 37 journaled at 38 and carrying an operating crank 39. Every time the shaft 31 revolves, the printing plate is brought into engagement with the edge of the book in such a manner as to accurately print the index thereon in the same manner as illustrated in Fig. 3. As soon as each book is indexed in the manner stated, it is removed by lifting the clamping member 22 and another book substituted,

the latter being clamped to the same degree by returning the member 22 to the position shown in Fig. 5. As illustrated in the drawing, the swinging head 27 is vertically adjustable in a slot 40 by means of a screw 41 threaded in the frame and operatively connected with the shaft or spindle 28 for purposes of vertical adjustment. As shown in the drawing, each pitman 30 is composed of two members 42 and 43 which are yieldingly connected by means of a spring H interposed between one extremity of the part 42 and a nut 45 applied to the inner end of the member which is threaded for the purpose. By the adjustment of the nut 45, the tension of the spring may be regulated at will.

It is believed that the foregoing description of the apparatus disclosed will be sufficient for the purpose though such description is not in extreme detail nor exceedingly elaborate for the reason that nothing is claimed on the mechanical construction, in this application. And furthermore, for. the reason that any suitable apparatus may be employed in the carrying out of the process heretofore explained.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: e i

1. The herein described book indexing process, consisting in making a sample book and forming an index on its edge, subjecting the said book to the necessary pressure to fornra surface on its edge adapted to receive a printing device, producing a facsimile of the sample book index when the book is under pressure, and finally employing such facsimile in printing the index on the edges of other books subjected to the same pressure action.

2. The herein described process for edge indexing, a series of substantially identical books, consisting in forming the index by hand, on one book of the series as a sample, subjecting the sample to sufficient pressure from opposite sides to form the edge into a surface that may be printed upon, reproducing a negative printing facsimile of the index when the book is so compressed, and finally subjecting the edge of each book of the series to the same act as that applied to the sample book, and printing the index thereon by the use of the said facsimile.

3. The herein described process for applying an index to the corresponding edges of a series of substantially identical books, said process consisting in applying by hand the index to one book as a sample, while the leaves are loose, compressing the sample book from opposite sides to form upon the edge thereof a surface suiliciently resisting for printing purposes, forming a printing facsimile of the index when the book is so compressed, subjecting the other books of the series to the same pressure act, and

printing the index on the edges thereof when so compressed, by applying the said printing facsimile thereto.

4. The herein described book edge indexing process, consisting in taking one book of a series of substantially identical books, forming the index on the edge thereof when the leaves are loose or in normal condition, subjecting the book, after so indexing its edge, to a predetermined pressure from the opposite sides to form the edge into a surface sufiiciently resisting for printing puroses roducin a )rinted facsimile of the index from the book when so compressed, and employing the same facsimile to print the said. index on the edge of the other books of the series when subjected to the same" pressure act.

5. The herein described process, consist- 1n in formln a desi n on the ed e of a book, subjecting the book to a predetermined under pressure, subjecting other substantially identical books to the same pressure act and printing the index thereon by applying the printing facsimile thereto.

7. The herein described process, consisting in forming by hand a subject-matter index on the edge of a book while the leaves are loose, subjecting the book to pressure from opposite sides to form the indexededge into a comparatively hard surface, producing a negative printing facsimile of the said index while the book is under pressure, subjecting other substantially identical books to the same pressure act, and printing the index thereon by applying the printing facsimi'le thereto. v i

The herein described process consisting in forming any subject matter on the edge of' a book while the leavesare loose, subjecting the book to pressure from opposite sides to form the leaf edges into a relatively hard, compact surface, producing a negative printing facsimile of the said subject matter while the book is under pressure, subjecting other substantially identical books to the same pressure act and printing on the edges thereof when so compressed by employing" the said printing facsimile.

In testimony whereof I affix my signa ture in presence of two witnesses. 7

. LOUIS R. SMITH. WVitnesses:

MAZE KIRBY, A. J. OBRIEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Gommissioner ofPPaten'ts. Washington, D. C. v I 

